Keeping people with dementia moving in hospital to reduce pressure ulcer risk: complexities in care

People with dementia occupy up to 21% of UK hospital beds at any one time and are at increased risk of developing pressure ulcers. Keeping moving is a fundamental component of pressure ulcer prevention. However, the physical, behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia can affect a person's ability to ‘keep moving’ during a hospital admission. These symptoms are currently underaddressed in pressure ulcer prevention guidance and practice. This article aims to fill that gap by exploring how these dementia-related symptoms increase pressure ulcer risk and examining the complexities of keeping people with dementia moving in hospital. Implications for practice include holistic assessment of the barriers to keeping people with dementia moving. This assessment should incorporate not only physical limitations but also behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia such as agitation, which may hinder repositioning. A person-centred approach is essential to keeping people with dementia moving in hospital.